Self-moisture-wicking cover for sports equipment

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to a cover for sports equipment, such as for skis, snowboards, surfboards, skateboards and the like. In one embodiment, the cover is formed in a similar shape to the equipment it is meant to cover, and large enough to cover at least one flat side and the edges of the equipment, while optionally leaving some portion of the equipment open to the air. The cover is made of a either a combination of fabrics, or a combination of faces of fabric, which allow for moisture to be wicked away from the sports equipment, and which provide protection for the equipment from rust and/or other damage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/779,933, filed on Dec. 14, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a cover for sports equipment,such as for skis, snowboards, surfboards, skateboards, ice skates,wakeboards, waterskis, kiteboards and the like. The cover is made of aeither a combination of fabrics, or a combination of faces of fabric,which allow for moisture to be wicked away from the sports equipment,and which provide protection for the equipment from rust and/or otherdamage.

Related Art

Presented below is background information on certain aspects of thepresent invention as they may relate to technical features referred toin the detailed description, but not necessarily described in detail.That is, certain components of the present invention may be described ingreater detail in the materials discussed below. The discussion belowshould not be construed as an admission as to the relevance of theinformation to the claimed invention or the prior art effect of thematerial described.

Surfing, skating, snow sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, and manyother board or ski sports must be done in a location where the terrainand weather are conducive for such activities, and thereforeparticipants of these sports usually have to travel to such locations toengage in these sports, which also necessitates the transport of theirsporting equipment to those locations.

Surfing, skating, snow sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, and manyother board or ski sports are high performance articles of sportingequipment and are therefore usually relatively expensive. Furthermore,these skis, boards and skates, such as snow skis and snowboards, arealso somewhat delicate, especially with regard to keeping their varioussurfaces and edges in optimal condition for their use, such as skiing orsnowboarding. It is therefore essential that the skis, skates and boardsbe protected from physical harm while they are being transported. But,because of their awkward lengths, shape, and cutting edges, protectingthe skis and other sports equipment during transit prove to be achallenge. Likewise, because of the cutting edges on certain sportsequipment, a cover which protects the user from injury from those edgesis also desired. Moreover, having a cover which is lightweight, easy tofold and store and easy to use makes it more likely that the sportsenthusiast will actually use the cover.

Ski bags of various designs are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 4,196,762 to Goodwin et al. discloses a bag for transporting skis,ski poles and the like. The bag is formed from a matching pair of sidepanels of indoor-outdoor carpet material and a strip of nylon edgereinforcing tape stitched together along two sides and one end of theside panels. The bags also include a nylon wrapping handle to facilitatecarrying and a metal ring to permit hanging the bag for drying orstorage. U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,355 to Wymore et al. discloses a protectivecontainer for snow skis having an elongated body with inner and outerwall members fabricated of a pliable material. The wall members areretained in spaced-apart relationship by a resiliently deformablecushion member placed therein between, with the inner wall defining acompartment for receipt of a set of snow skis. On the whole, ski bagssuch as those described above are bulky and heavy. As a result, theycannot conveniently be carried by a skier while skiing and a safe placemust be found for storing the ski covers or bags when not in use.

Smaller and relatively lightweight devices for transporting a pair ofskis are also known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,678 toMayfield discloses a ski sleeve, which is designed to fit over the tipof a ski at either end. The ski sleeves have integral hook and loopfasteners which may be used to secure the ski sleeve to the ski. Thisdesign, however, fits over only a single ski and leaves the bulk of thatski, as well as the other ski in the pair, completely unprotected. U.S.Pat. No. 4,055,287 to Champenois, Jr. discloses a protective coveringfor a snow ski binding which includes a weatherproof sheet that iswrapped around the bindings of a pair of skis and then secured theretoby means of an integral hook and loop fastener. This design also leavesa large expanse of the skis completely unprotected. U.S. Pat. No.3,851,689 to Kohls discloses a foldable ski cover including an elongatedbag having two compartments for receiving an individual ski in eachcompartment. The bag is made from a flexible, waterproof material andincludes several reclosable fasteners attached thereto. This waterproofmaterial will tend to trap dirt and debris therein after use with dirtyskis, wherein such debris can only be removed with difficulty.Furthermore, skis are manufactured and sold in widely varying lengths,and the positioning of the fasteners on this prior art bag may beawkward when used with certain ski lengths. U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,323 toMcConnell discloses a ski sock which is made from a stretchable materialand configured to receive a pair of skis. Additionally, the sockincludes an elastic band for closure at an inlet end, a closed oppositeend, and handles and straps for carrying the skis together. The ski sockfits snugly about and completely covers both skis. The interior surfaceof this sock is coated with a dry, slick-film to facilitate insertionsand removal of skis from the ski sock. The slick surface, being anapplied coating, is subjected to wear and will have to be re-applied inorder to maintain its slickness.

U.S. Design Patents D643,493 and D490,491 show designs for snowboardcovers that cover the base and edges of a snowboard. However, thesedesigns do not show a fastening device that secures the snowboardeasily. Moreover, these design patents do not describe materials for thesnowboard cover, which enable the cover to wick moisture away from thesnowboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,263, which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety, describes an elastic covering for alpine sports equipment.The covering is made from a water-permeable elastic material formed intothe shape of a sock, into the narrow end of which, the ski or otherequipment can be slid. However, this patent does not disclose a coverwith a wide opening for the top (i.e., the side opposite the base andthe side that is not in contact with the snow or surf during use) of theski, snowboard or surfboard which allows for ease of inserting orremoving the ski or snowboard. Moreover, this patent does not describecombining layers of materials designed to wick moisture away from theski or snowboard.

In addition to protection from damage due to impact or excessive usethat dulls the edges of sport equipment, equipment such as skis,snowboards, surfboards, ice skates and the like may become damaged byextended exposure to moisture. As such, it is desired to have alightweight, breathable cover for sports equipment that is capable ofwicking moisture away from the equipment such that rust and othermoisture-related damage does not occur.

The inventor has surprisingly found, that providing a lightweight,foldable and storable cover that is self-moisture-wicking mitigates theabove technical problems, including keeping the edges of the sportsequipment sharp, the base smooth and various components of the sportsequipment rust-free, without the hassle of a massive traditional boardbag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following brief summary is not intended to include all features andaspects of the present invention, nor does it imply that the inventionmust include all features and aspects discussed in this summary.

It is an object of the present invention to provide flexible lightweightbags for the transportation of equipment for sports equipment, whichpartially enclose the equipment being transported in order to preventdamage to the equipment, and in turn prevent the sharp edge of theequipment from being damaged and damaging surrounding articles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide coverings forsports equipment which are made from a material that isself-moisture-wicking, to protect the sports equipment from damagecaused by excessive or prolonged exposure to moisture during storage.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a lightweight cover forsports equipment, that is foldable and easily stored.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a coveringfor sports equipment from which dirt and debris may easily be removedafter each use.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tothe same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom, rear side of a snowboardcover in connection with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the snowboard cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the snowboard cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the snowboard cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the snowboard cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a leading edge view of the snowboard cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a trailing edge view of the snowboard cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is alternative embodiment of a snowboard cover in connection withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methodsand materials are described. Generally, nomenclatures utilized inconnection with, and techniques of, cell and molecular biology andchemistry are those well-known and commonly used in the art. Certainexperimental techniques, not specifically defined, are generallyperformed according to conventional methods well known in the art and asdescribed in various general and more specific references that are citedand discussed throughout the present specification. For purposes of theclarity, following terms are defined below.

By “self-wicking” is meant the process of assisting in absorbingmoisture and drying until the moisture is gone.

By “breathable” is meant a somewhat porous nature that allows for thepassage of air and/or moisture to allow for drying in an efficientmanner.

By “fabric” is meant any type of essentially two-dimensional material,typically made up of fibers, such as textiles.

By “dot-gluing” is meant using an adhesive at small, strategic locationsof the layers so as to not produce an entire glue layer.

By “stitching” is meant connecting the layers with thread.

By “protective” is meant capable of preventing damage, such as scratchesor scrapes.

General Description of Method and Materials

The present invention generally relates to a cover for sports equipment,such as for skis, snowboards, surfboards, skateboards and the like. Inone embodiment, the cover is formed in a similar shape to the equipmentit is meant to cover, and large enough to cover at least one flat sideand the edges of the equipment, while optionally leaving some portion ofthe equipment open to the air. In the embodiment used for skis andsnowboards, the open portion of the cover is for the side of theequipment that is opposite the “base” and that is not in contact withsnow when in use, and which houses bindings or footholds. In analternative embodiment, such as for a skateboard, the opening in thecover provides a space for wheels of the skateboard. In anotherembodiment, such as for ice skates, the opening of the cover is againstthe base of the shoe attached to the skate blade. The piece of sportequipment is inserted into the opening, which is fastened to fit snugglyover the equipment.

Moisture causes rust when it meets certain types of metal, so a coverthat not only protects the sports equipment from getting scratched, butalso removes rust-causing moisture is desired. The way this works is byhaving a fabric, or combination of fabrics, that are protective, yetbreathable, on the outside and absorbent, quick-drying and wicking onthe inside.

Overview

-   The invention provides a method for the following:

1. A self-moisture-wicking cover for sports equipment, including:

-   -   a. an inner, moisture-wicking layer of fabric;    -   b. an outer breathable layer of fabric,    -   wherein the inner and outer layers are bonded together to        maintain the moisture-wicking of the inner layer,    -   wherein the cover completely covers a base and edges of the snow        sport equipment and can be tightened around the snow sport        equipment with a fastener.

2. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the inner,moisture-wicking layer of fabric is fleece or micro chamois.

3. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the inner,moisture-wicking layer of fabric is polyester.

4. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the outerbreathable layer of fabric is a polyester blend.

5. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the fastener is adrawstring.

6. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the inner andouter layers are bonded by incorporating a layer of polyurethane betweenthe inner and outer layers, and heating the layer of polyurethane tobond the inner and outer layers.

7. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the inner andouter layers are bonded by dot-gluing.

8. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the inner andouter layers are bonded by stitching.

9. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the cover isdesigned to cover a snowboard.

10. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the cover isdesigned to cover a ski.

11. The self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 1, wherein the cover isdesigned to cover a surfboard.

12. The self-moisture-wicking cover for sports equipment of Item 6,wherein the heating is performed by flame lamination.

13. A self-moisture-wicking cover for sports equipment, comprising: afabric with a first and second face, wherein the first face is an inner,moisture-wicking face of the fabric and the second face is an outerbreathable face of the fabric,

-   -   wherein the inner face is treated to increase the surface area        of exposed fibers in the fabric,    -   wherein the cover completely covers a base and edges of the snow        sport equipment and can be tightened around the snow sport        equipment with a fastener.

14. A method of making a self-moisture-wicking cover for sportequipment, comprising:

-   -   a. bonding together an inner, moisture-wicking layer of fabric        and an outer, breathable layer of fabric to maintain the        moisture-wicking of the inner layer, wherein the bonded fabrics        are shaped to completely cover a base and edges of the snow        sport equipment; and    -   b. incorporating a fastener to allow the self-wicking cover to        be tightened around the snow sport equipment.

15. The method of making a self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 12,wherein the inner, moisture-wicking layer of fabric is fleece or microchamois.

16. The method of making a self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 12,wherein the inner, moisture-wicking layer of fabric is polyester.

17. The method of making a self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 12,wherein the outer breathable layer of fabric is a polyester blend.

18. The method of making a self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 12,wherein the fastener is a drawstring.

19. The method of making a self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 12,wherein the inner and outer layers are bonded by: (1) incorporating alayer of polyurethane between the inner and outer layers, and heatingthe layer of polyurethane to bond the inner and outer layers; (2)dot-gluing; or (3) stitching.

20. The method of making a self-moisture-wicking cover of Item 12,wherein the cover is designed for a snowboard, a ski or an ice skate.

In yet more detail, the present invention is described by the followingitems which represent preferred embodiments thereof.

The cover of the present invention is designed to fit essentially anysize of the particular type of sports equipment it is designed toprotect. Differing sizes can also be made for even more specific fits.The cover is elongated to be at least as long as the model of equipmentit is designed to protect. The cover is wide enough such that whenfastened, the cover completely covers the edges of the equipment it isdesigned to protect. The cover is equipped with fasteners that allow thecover to fit snugly over the sports equipment, and may be adjustable soas to adjust that fit.

When the cover is at least partially tightened, it forms an inner cavityinto which the sports equipment is placed. The fabric of the innercavity is moisture-wicking so as to absorb moisture that may be on thesports equipment after use. This inner fabric may be a separate fabricfrom the outer fabric of the cover, or may be the same fabric as theoutside of the cover, wherein the fibers of the inner surface or cavityhave been treated to increase the surface area available to absorb themoisture, i.e., making the inside “fuzzy” or “nappy.”

The outer fabric of the cover is meant to be relatively strong so as toprotect the sports equipment, yet breathable and preferably lightweightenough to allow for easy folding and storage of the cover. Oneembodiment of the invention uses a polyester blend as the outsidefabric. Other examples of materials that can function as the outer layerare known to those of skill in the art, and include, but are not limitedto synthetic spacer fabrics. Examples of spacer fabrics are included inthe reference list herein, which are incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

The inner fabric of the cover is meant to be absorbent. One embodimentof the invention uses a micro-chamois as the inside fabric. Otherfabrics with moisture-wicking properties can also be used for this layer(such as, but not limited to, different types of fleece and polyester).Other examples of materials that can function as the inner layer areknown to those of skill in the art, and include, but are not limited tonatural fibers such as bamboo, cotton, and wood, or synthetic fiberssuch as polyester, polypropylene, and cellulose-based fibers such asmodal, micro-modal, viscose and TENCEL®.

The fabrics are bonded together using any means that maintains themoisture-wicking properties of the inner layer. In one embodiment, alayer of polyurethane is inserted between the inner and outer layers andis heat-treated, or flame laminated. When this polyurethane fabric isheated, it becomes sticky and bonds the fabrics together. Sincepolyurethane is porous by nature, it does not inhibit the wickingproperties of the fabric in side it. In other embodiments, the fabricmay be bonded by methods including, but not limited to, dot-gluing andspotted, intentional stitching, that also connect the fabrics, withoutinhibiting the ability of the inner-fabric to perform its intended roleof wicking moisture.

Any fastener may be used to close the sports equipment cover that allowsthe cover to snugly cover and protect the working surfaces (base, edges,etc.) of the equipment. Examples include one or more of drawstrings,Velcro, snaps, buttons, zippers, and hooks. A preferred embodiment usesone or more drawstrings.

One embodiment of the invention is described in U.S. Design applicationSer. No. 29/615,797, filed Aug. 31, 2017, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety

The patent and scientific literature referred to herein establishes theknowledge that is available to those with skill in the art. All UnitedStates patents and published or unpublished United States patentapplications cited herein are incorporated by reference. All publishedforeign patents and patent applications cited herein are herebyincorporated by reference. All other published references, documents,manuscripts and scientific literature cited herein are herebyincorporated by reference.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inventionencompassed by the appended claims.

REFERENCES

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1. A self-moisture-wicking cover for sports equipment, comprising: a. aninner, moisture-wicking layer of fabric; b. an outer breathable layer offabric, wherein said inner and outer layers are bonded together tomaintain the moisture-wicking of said inner layer, wherein said covercompletely covers a base and edges of said snow sport equipment and canbe tightened around said snow sport equipment with a fastener.
 2. Theself-moisture-wicking cover of claim 1, wherein said inner, moisturewicking layer of fabric is fleece or micro chamois.
 3. Theself-moisture-wicking cover of claim 1, wherein said inner, moisturewicking layer of fabric is polyester.
 4. The self-moisture-wicking coverof claim 1, wherein said outer breathable layer of fabric is a polyesterblend.
 5. The self-moisture-wicking cover of claim 1, wherein saidfastener is a drawstring.
 6. The self-moisture-wicking cover of claim 1,wherein said inner and outer layers are bonded by incorporating a layerof polyurethane between said inner and outer layers, and heating saidlayer of polyurethane to bond said inner and outer layers.
 7. Theself-moisture-wicking cover of claim 1, wherein said inner and outerlayers are bonded by dot-gluing.
 8. The self-moisture-wicking cover ofclaim 1, wherein said inner and outer layers are bonded by stitching. 9.The self-moisture-wicking cover of claim 1, wherein said cover isdesigned to cover a snowboard.
 10. The self-moisture-wicking cover ofclaim 1, wherein said cover is designed to cover a ski.
 11. Theself-moisture-wicking cover of claim 1, wherein said cover is designedto cover a surfboard.
 12. The self-moisture-wicking cover for sportsequipment of claim 6, wherein the heating is performed by flamelamination.
 13. A self-moisture-wicking cover for sports equipment,comprising: a fabric with a first and second face, wherein the firstface is an inner, moisture-wicking face of the fabric and the secondface is an outer breathable face of the fabric, wherein said inner faceis treated to increase the surface area of exposed fibers in the fabric,wherein said cover completely covers a base and edges of said snow sportequipment and can be tightened around said snow sport equipment with afastener.
 14. A method of making a self-moisture-wicking cover for sportequipment, comprising: c. bonding together an inner, moisture-wickinglayer of fabric and an outer, breathable layer of fabric to maintain themoisture-wicking of said inner layer, wherein said bonded fabrics areshaped to completely cover a base and edges of said snow sportequipment; and d. incorporating a fastener to allow the self-wickingcover to be tightened around said snow sport equipment.
 15. The methodof making a self-moisture-wicking cover of claim 12, wherein said inner,moisture wicking layer of fabric is fleece or micro chamois.
 16. Themethod of making a self-moisture-wicking cover of claim 12, wherein saidinner, moisture wicking layer of fabric is polyester.
 17. The method ofmaking a self-moisture-wicking cover of claim 12, wherein said outerbreathable layer of fabric is a polyester blend.
 18. The method ofmaking a self-moisture-wicking cover of claim 12, wherein said fasteneris a drawstring.
 19. The method of making a self-moisture-wicking coverof claim 12, wherein said inner and outer layers are bonded by: (1)incorporating a layer of polyurethane between said inner and outerlayers, and heating said layer of polyurethane to bond said inner andouter layers; (2) dot-gluing; or (3) stitching.
 20. The method of makinga self-moisture-wicking cover of claim 12, wherein said cover isdesigned for a snowboard, a ski or an ice skate.